Pocket pouch for holding golf tees of various lengths and styles

ABSTRACT

A pocket tee pouch device is provided. The pocket tee pouch device is dimensioned and adapted for holding golf tees in a series of transparent pockets for easy selection and access to a variety of tee types. The pocket tee pouch provides a non-bulging, thin profile for storing the entire pocket tee pouch in the pocket of pants worn by the golfer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/625,800, filed 2 Feb. 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the game of golf and accessories thereof and, more particularly, to a pocket golf tee pouch. The pocket golf tee pouch fills a variety of needs.

Within a round of golf, the golfer will likely encounter grass and ground conditions that vary from tee box to tee box. As a result, golfers need to have different types of golf tees readily available during play to ensure that they have the appropriate tee for each of the various tee boxes.

Within a round of golf, the golfer will encounter short par 3 holes and longer par 4 and 5 holes. As a result, and because of how the game is played, golfers require shorter tees for shorter holes and longer tees for longer holes.

Within a round of golf, the golfer will misplace, lose, break or otherwise run out of tees in the course of play. As a result, golfers need to be able to replace tees readily, without interrupting play to return to their cart for replacements.

Within a round of golf, many golfers find it most convenient to carry tees and other objects (balls, ball markers, repair tools, etc.) loose in a pocket. When they do, they (a) occasionally stab themselves with the pointed tip of a loose tee when reaching into their pocket, and (b) occasionally cause damage to their clothing when the pointed tips of loose tees poke holes in the fabric. As a result, golfers and their clothing need protection from injury/damage.

Alternatives to the pocket tee pouch are less convenient and less compatible with how the game is played. Receptacles such as holders that attach to a belt are sometimes bulky and make it difficult to quickly and conveniently access and select particular tees. Moreover, such devices can interfere with a golfer's swing on a tee box, in a fairway or on a green. Another alternative, the storing of tees in or on a parked golf cart, is less convenient, because the tees are beyond the easy reach of a golfer at a tee box.

As can be seen, there is a need for a pocket tee pouch adapted to simultaneously house a variety of different tee types that are all literally at a golfer's fingertips. The pocket tee pouch accommodates a plurality of different tees that match different tee box conditions and golfer preferences. The pocket tee pouch embodied by the present invention is smaller, more portable, more durable and more convenient than current solutions, and is dimensioned and adapted to have no bulges, thereby enabling users to easily slip it into and out of their pocket. There is nothing to interfere with a golfer's swing, and the pocket tee pouch securely holds tees in such a manner as to prevent injury or damage, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a golf tee pouch dimensioned to slide into a pant pocket includes the following: a first substrate having a plurality of first coextensive edges and a first non-coextensive edge; a second substrate having a plurality of second coextensive edges and a non-coextensive second edge; the first and second coextensive edges joined together, respectively; a plurality of spaced apart attachment segments extending perpendicularly from the second non-coextensive second edge so as to join the first and second substrate there along; and the second substrate is transparent.

In another aspect of the present invention, golf tee pouch dimensioned to slide into a pocket of pants worn by the golfer includes the following: a first substrate having a plurality of first coextensive edges and a first non-coextensive edge; a second three-inch by three-inch transparent substrate having a plurality of second coextensive edges and a non-coextensive second edge; the first and second coextensive edges joined together, respectively; the second non-coextensive second edge is downward of the first non-coextensive second edge by a half an inch; and a plurality of spaced apart attachment segments extending perpendicularly from the second non-coextensive second edge for less than half of the length of the second substrate, wherein each attachment segment joins the first and second substrate there along, wherein the attachment segments divide five pockets, wherein each pocket is dimensioned to slidably receive a first portion of a golf tee and nest a remaining lower portion of a head of the golf tee, and wherein the second non-coextensive second edge defines an opening to each of the five pockets.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating securing of tee in a pocket of the device;

FIG. 3 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pocket tee pouch device for holding a variety of golf tees in a series of transparent pockets for easy selection and access. The pocket tree pouch provides a non-bulging, thin profile for storing the entire pocket tee pouch, with tees, in the pocket of pants worn by the golfer.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may include a pocket tee pouch 10. The pocket tee pouch 10 may include a first substrate 26 joined to a second substrate 14. The first substrate 26 may be defined by a plurality of first peripheral edges. The second substrate 14 may be have a plurality of second peripheral edges, the second substrate 14 being generally coextensive with the first substrate 26 but for one non-coextensive second peripheral edge 34 being inward of the non-coextensive first periphery edge 36, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The peripheral edges of the first and second substrates 26 and 14 are joined except for the non-coextensive peripheral edges 36 and 34, respectfully. The joining of the peripheral edges may result from heat-pressing of the two substrates 14 and 26 together, through adhesive bonds, or the like.

Spaced apart along the length of the second substrate 14 are attachment segments 24 joining the first and second substrates 26 and 14. Each attachment segment 24 may be formed by various joining methods, including but not limited to heat-press seals, adhesive bonds, or the like. Each attachment segment 24 may extend generally perpendicularly from said non-coextensive second periphery edge 34, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In certain embodiments, the attachment segment 24 does not extend all the way to an opposing second periphery edge, as illustrated in FIG. 2, whereby the shafts of the golf tees 16 are allowed lateral spaced to accommodate different types of golf tees 16. The plurality of attachment segments 24 defines and/or divides a plurality of spaced apart separate pockets 50, wherein the coextensive second periphery edge 34 defines the opening to each of these pockets 50. Each pocket is dimensioned to slidably-receive a tee 16, or at least the shaft and a substantial portion of the head of the tee 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 4 illustrates how the dimensioning of the spaced apart attachment segments 24 and thus the width of the pocket 50 opening allows the head of the tee 16 to nest securely in the opening. The lower tapering surface 40 of the crown 44 of the golf tee 16 nests in the upper portion of the pocket 50.

The first substrate 26 may provide a lip 12 along the coextensive and non-coextensive first periphery edges 36. Just downward, inward from the non-coextensive first periphery edge 36 a friction lip 60 may be provided. The friction lip 60 is disposed between the non-coextensive peripheral edges 34 and 36, maybe approximately a quarter inch from the non-coextensive first periphery edges 36, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The friction lip 60 provides an additional friction point to help secure the tees 16 in place in the pouch 10. If the upper portion of the crown 44 of the tees 16 were unprotected and completely exposed above the pouch 10, they would be more exposed and more likely to come out as a golfer reaches into his/her pocket for a ball, ball marker or repair tool. In other words, the contact point between the friction lip 60 and the tee crown 44 provides an additional friction point to help prevent the tees 16 from sliding out. With the friction lip 60, a user can hold the pouch 10 upside down and shake it, and the tees 16 will not fall out. And yet, when the user wants to remove a tee 16, they can grab the crown 44 and pull, and it will slide right out of the respective pocket 50.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as upper, lower, upward, downwardly, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction (or upper) being toward the top of the corresponding FIGS. 1 and 2, and the lower or downward direction being toward the bottom of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Each substrate 14 and 26 may be made from various plasticized, vinyl or similar materials that provide flexible yet non-bulging properties. The second substrate 14 may be transparent, making the contents of the pockets 50 constantly visible.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The pocket tee pouch 10 disclosed above may be provided. A user, when preparing to play golf, may insert one or more tees 16 of his/her choosing into the pockets 50 of the pocket tee pouch 10 and then insert the pouch 10 into a pocket, such as a pant pocket. At each tee box, the golfer observes the tee box conditions, pulls out the pocket tee pouch 10, selects a desired tee 16 from the visible pockets 50 that best suits the tee box. Then the user puts the pouch 10 back into their pocket, and tees-up the ball. After hitting the ball, the golfer retrieves the tee 16 pulls the pouch 10 out of his/her pocket, inserts the tee 16 back into the pouch 10, puts the pouch 10 back into the pocket and exits the tee box, preventing injury from the tips of the tees 16.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may be made by cutting two pieces of vinyl (3″×3″ and 3″×3½″) and compressing three corresponding edges together to form a pouch, with one 3″ side (the top) being left open. Five or more pockets 50/compartments, each for a tee 16, may be formed using a plurality of ⅛″×1⅝″ attachment segments 24 running vertically.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee, comprising: one or more golf tees; a first substrate having a plurality of first coextensive edges and a first non-coextensive edge; a second substrate having a plurality of second coextensive edges and a second non-coextensive edge; the first and second coextensive edges joined together, respectively; a plurality of spaced apart attachment segments extending perpendicularly from the second non-coextensive edge so as to join the first and second substrate there along; and a friction lip disposed between the first and second non-coextensive edges, the friction lip for providing a friction point to help secure the one or more golf tees disposed between the first and second substrates, preventing said one or more golf tees from sliding completely out from between the first and second substrates when the golf tee pouch is disposed upside down.
 2. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 1, wherein the attachment segments divide a plurality of pockets, wherein each pocket is dimensioned to slidably receive a first portion of said one or more golf tees and nest a remaining second portion of said one or more golf tees.
 3. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the said one or more tees is a lower portion of a head of the one or more golf tees.
 4. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 1, wherein the second non-coextensive edge is downward of the first non-coextensive second edge.
 5. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 1, wherein the second substrate is approximately three inches by three inches in surface area.
 6. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 5, wherein the second substrate is approximately three inches by three and a half inches in surface area.
 7. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 2, wherein the second non-coextensive edge defines an opening to each of the plurality of pockets.
 8. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 2, wherein the plurality of pockets are five pockets.
 9. The combination golf tee pouch and at least one golf tee of claim 1, where each attachment segment extends for less than half of the length of the second substrate for accommodating a shaft various types of the one or more golf tee.
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. A golf tee pouch, comprising: a first substrate having a plurality of first coextensive edges and a first non-coextensive edge; a second substrate having a plurality of second coextensive edges and a second non-coextensive edge; the first and second coextensive edges joined together, respectively; a plurality of spaced apart attachment segments extending perpendicularly from the second non-coextensive edge so as to join the first and second substrate there along; and a friction lip disposed between the first and second non-coextensive edges, the friction lip for preventing any golf tee from sliding completely out from between the first and second substrates when the golf tee pouch is disposed upside down.
 13. A golf tee pouch, comprising: a first substrate having a plurality of first coextensive edges and a first non-coextensive edge; a second substrate having a plurality of second coextensive edges and a second non-coextensive edge; the first and second coextensive edges joined together, respectively; a plurality of spaced apart attachment segments extending perpendicularly from the second non-coextensive edge so as to join the first and second substrate there along; and a means for providing a friction point disposed between the first and second non-coextensive edges for securing any golf tee disposed between the first and second substrates, and preventing said any golf tee from sliding completely out from between the first and second substrates when the golf tee pouch is disposed upside down.
 14. The golf tee pouch of claim 13, further comprising one or more golf tee disposed between the first and second non-coextensive edges. 